Convicted rapist attacked partner when she 'didn't fully load washing machine'
James Trott bit the victim on the face and shoulder and punched her to the head and arms during the violent assault in his Sunderland home
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA convicted rapist launched a violent attack on his partner because she hadn't "fully loaded the washing machine".
James Trott punched the victim in the head and arms and bit her on the face during the violent outburst, which left the woman with blood pouring down her cheeks. Just moments before the attack, the 42-year-old had chillingly warned "I feel I'm going to get locked up tonight because of my anger" after he'd started necking booze at his Sunderland home.
Then, because his girlfriend "hadn't fully loaded the washing machine", Trott suddenly lashed out and started raining down blows on her, Newcastle Crown Court was told. During the violence that ensued, Trott also bit the terrified victim and brandished an empty knife case.
The woman eventually managed to flee the house on foot and rang police from a payphone, prosecutors said. Trott, who was jailed in 2020 for rape, was arrested and it transpired he was also on bail for burglary and attempted burglary.
Now, the brute, of Marion Street, in Sunderland, has been locked up for 37 months after he pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. He also admitted burglary, attempted burglary and failing to provide a sample for drugs testing.
Outlining the case in order of time, Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said Trott and two others broke into a Brewers Fayre pub, in Sunderland, on December 23 last year. Trott and his accomplices triggered a silent alarm, which woke the general manager in a flat upstairs.
Mr Ahmad said the three men had smashed a glass door to gain entry, were wearing masks and gloves and were carrying a "burglars' tool bag", which contained a mallet, screw driver, hammer, torch and chisel. Mr Ahmad added: "Arcade machines had been forced open and money taken, tills had been removed, and two charity boxes, and a bottle of alcohol."
Trott was arrested a short time later when he was found in the beer garden of the Palm Restaurant, having attempted to break into the premises. He later refused to provide a sample of blood for drugs testing.
The thug was bailed but launched the violent attack on his girlfriend less than three weeks later on December 30. Mr Ahmad said Trott had been drinking following the death of his aunt and had warned his partner that he was "going to get locked up".
He launched the attack after he'd noticed she hadn't fully loaded the washing machine. Mr Ahmad continued: "He punched her to the head and arms and bit her more than once, biting her lip and shoulder.
"During the incident, he brandished the case of a Stanley knife, without the knife inside, and pushed it against her face, causing a small wound and blood to pour down her face."
The court heard that the victim suffered a cut to her cheek and lip, as well as cuts and bruising to her arms, thumb and shoulder. In a statement, she said: "I'm devastated, shaken and was terrified.
"I do not feel like the same person I was yesterday. My memories from previous abuse have come flooding back and my mood is all over the place."
Jamie Adams, defending, said Trott, who has 18 offences on his record, was remorseful and had been using his time on remand constructively. He said: "He's a man who has been suffering from his mental health for a large number of years.
"The difficulties that that poses, we all know, can be quite complex and difficult to deal with, even by professionals, who just try and test different medications to see what might work."
Jailing Trott, Judge Tim Gittins said: "Your reaction [to the half-loaded washing machine] was punching her to the head and arms, biting her on the face and shoulder in a way which could have been extremely disfiguring and you brandished the case of a Stanley knife, albeit it I accept it had no blade in it.
"She was left with blood pouring down her face from a cut to her face and bruising and swelling from the blows you pounded across her face and torso. She, understandably, tried to defend herself by clawing back at you and you seemed to use that as an excuse to say she was the aggressive one, not you."
Trott was also made subject of a 10-year restraining order, which banned him from contacting the victim.
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